The Ultimate Fighting Championship just made one of the biggest deals in streaming with Paramount. This deal involves moving away from the pay-per-view model that has been the standard for the company since 1993.
If you’re a UFC pay-per-view fan, this news is huge.
The UFC signed a seven-year contract for streaming on Paramount+ for $7.7 billion, with possibilities of bringing in even more in revenue.
The UFC streams fight cards almost every Saturday, whether it be a smaller fight night card or a massive pay-per-view card that everyone is excited for. Currently, the way you’re able to watch these is by signing up with ESPN+ which is $29.99 a month. However, for you to watch the pay-per-views, you have to pay an additional $79.99.
But that’s about to change. The base subscription for Paramount+ is $7.99, with premium being $12.99. With these subscriptions, viewers will be able to watch every single card every week, including pay-per-views.
Fans have been asking UFC to lower pay-per-view prices, saying they are unable to afford the high cost. Currently, with 13 pay-per-views a year, the yearly cost of watching would be more than $1,000.
The new format not only makes being a UFC fan more affordable, but it could also help prevent others from pirating and streaming fights.
Pirating has become a major issue for many sports, but especially for UFC because of the high prices. UFC CEO Dana White has expressed his hatred for pirating streams, even threatening the people who do it.
“We’ve spent millions of dollars on technology to stop them,” White said in a 2021 interview. “Open that stream and see, we got you.”
The dramatic decrease likely will encourage more fans to purchase a Paramount+ subscription, effectively stopping the need for as many pirates.
Another big topic of discussion surrounding the UFC is fighter pay. Fans, as well as fighters, have said for years how unfair the pay is for contract holders and sometimes even veterans.
In an interview with MMAJunkie, White states, “Bonuses are obviously going up… that’ll be millions of dollars.”
Higher fighter payouts will not only benefit the fighters themselves, but may help regain trust of the fans who have been pushing for fairer pay. It could even encourage newer fighters to join the UFC.
With better stability for fighters bringing in more variety, engaged fans and an new influx of viewers, the league is hoping this deal will revitalize the UFC.
Fans can explore subscription options on the Paramount website.
Velocity 
Leave a comment